Typewriter eraser shield



Jan. 25, '1955 H. E. ROMMEIHS TYPEWRITER ERASER SHIELD Filed Oct. 22, 1953 'INVENTOR.

ATTOENEY5.

rift-In United States Patent 2,700,372 TYPEWRITER ERA SER SHIELD Helen E. Rommeihs, Covington, Ky.

Application October 22, 1953, Serial No. 387,619

'7 Claims. (Cl. 120-41) This invention relates to eraser shields and is particularly directed to an eraser shield adapted for use in conjunction with typewriters and other business machines.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a shield which is effective to protect the copy sheets from smudging when either the original or a copy sheet is being erased, and is also effective to collect all of the loose eraser particles so that these particles do not fall into the typewriter mechanism or between the carbons and copy sheets.

As will readily be appreciated by those who have attempted to type one or more carbon copies in addition to an original sheet, the erasure of mistakes from the original and carbons, even with the aid of a conventional shield, causes many difiiculties. That is, although the shield which is placed over the copy sheets on the typewriter platen protects the copy sheets from smudging, it does not prevent the eraser particles from dropping down between the sheets of paper. The typist cannot remove all of these particles even by brushing since many drop downwardly into the area where the adjacent sheets are tightly compressed between the typewriter platen and scale strip. Those eraser particles which are not efiectively removed cause portions of letters subsequently typed to be deleted from the copy sheets. Furthermore, even a careful typist cannot prevent some of the eraser particles from falling into the typewriter mechanism when she is brushing them from the paper. These particles may interfere with the subsequent operation of the machine by causing the keys to stick or some other mechanism to function improperly.

A preferred form of eraser shield constructed. in accordance with the present invention includes an arcuate shield plate adapted to be placed over the copy sheets to support the original or copy sheet being erased, a handle disposed at one end of the shield plate, and a particle collector tray which is pivotally connected to either the shield plate or the handle. The tray is adapted to be brought into a position in engagement with the sheet being erased, the sheet being disposed between the tray and shield plate. In this position the tray is effective to collect any particles abraded from the eraser or paper during the erasing process. Furthermore, by maintaining the tray in its paper engaging position and sliding the shield upwardly, the tray also functions as a wiper, removing any particles adhering to the sheet.

One of the principal advantages of the present shield is that it facilitates the removal of all the eraser particles without brushing. Those particles which would normally drop down between the sheets of paper are collected in the tray and are removed along with any particles adhering to the sheet being erased when the shield is slid upwardly along the paper. Since all of the particles are collected in the tray they can readily be deposited in a waste receptacle without any possibility of their coming into contact with the typing mechanism.

Another advantage of the present construction is that the eraser shield is readily manipulated. That is, the handle and pivoted tray arrangement facilitates the disposal of the shield over the cover sheets, while the sheet being erased is inserted between the tray and shield. The handle can be held in one hand and the tray pivoted outwardly to form an opening for receiving the sheet to be erased which is guided by the other hand.

An additional advantage of the present construction is its extreme simplicity. Each of the component parts can readily be stamped or molded, and the parts can "ice be quickly and easily assembled so that the entire device is economical to manufacture.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of my eraser shield.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the eraser shield.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the shield shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the shield taken along line 33 of Figure 1, showing the manner in which the shield is placed over copy sheets carried by a typewriter platen.

As shown in Figure 1, an eraser shield 10 constructed in accordance with this invention comprises an arcuate shield plate 11, having a handle 12 disposed at one end thereof and a collector tray, or shelf, 13 pivotally secured to the plate adjacent to the handle, the collector shelf being adapted for inward movement to a position in abutment with the shield plate, or into an open position, indicated by dotted line 14, in which it is spaced from the shield plate. i

More specifically, the shield plate 11 is an elongate member preferably formed from a light gauge metal or plastic material having an arcuate configuration conforming substantially to the shape of the platen of a conventional typewriter. Handle 12 is constructed of similar material and is either formed integral with the end of the shield plate, or alternatively is secured thereto as by welding or soldering. As shown, the handle is a separate member welded as at 15 to the end portion of the shield plate so that the handle extends laterally beyond the end of the plate for a short distance and curves forwardly of the plate. The handle is preferably of a generally channel-like configuration to increase its rigidity. The handle also is provided with two parallel spaced mounting flanges 16 extending longitudinally of the handle and shield plate.

The mounting flanges extend forwardly of the shield plate and each flange is provided with a central opening adapted to receive pivot pin 17, by means of which bracket 18 is pivotally secured to the mounting flanges. Mounting bracket 18 includes two spaced arms 20--20 adapted to engage the two mounting flanges 16, a finger grip 21 extending outwardly from the arms, and a tray carrying extension 22 extending laterally from lower arm 20. Each of the arms 20 is also provided with an opening to receive pivot pin 17. The mounting bracket is pivotally secured to the flanges by means of pivot pin 17 which fits loosely through the openings in these members and is upset at either end to prevent its longiutdinal displacement.

One end of the collector tray is riveted, welded, or secured in some other manner to extension 22. The collector tray 13 is preferably of a generally U-shaped configuration, including a lip 23 adapted to engage the sheet being erased. The sheet engaging portion of lip 23 is preferably coated with a resilient substance 24 such as flocked felt to insure good contact between the tray and sheet. The tray is adapted to be pivoted inwardly toward the shield until substantially the entire length of lip 23 is in engagement with the shield plate 11, the line of engagement between the tray and plate preferably being disposed adjacent to the lowermost edge of the shield plate so that a maximum area of the plate is provided above the tray for supporting the sheet being erased.

,In the preferred embodiment spring means are provided for urging the tray into contact with the shield plate. One suitable form of spring, as shown in the drawings, is a helical spring 25 compressed between the finger grip 21 and handle 12. Each ofthe end turns of the spring is fitted over a projection 26 on the finger grip and handle. The engagement of these projections with the ends of the spring is effective to prevent accidental displacement of the spring.

When using the eraser shield of the present-invention, the typewriter bail roll is lifted to free the original sheet 27, carbons 28 and copy sheets 30. The first sheet 27 is pulled forwardly with one hand, while the eraser shield is grasped in the other hand, the palm of the hand being in contact with the handle and a finger or thumb being in engagement with the finger grip. The finger grip is pressed slightly to pivot the tray outwardly. Next, the shield plate and tray are shifted inwardly along the typewriter platen 31, the first sheet being inserted between them. The shield plate is then placed over the carbon paper and copy sheets, and is supported by the typewriter platen. Finally the finger grip is released so that the tray is forced inwardly by the spring into contact with the first sheet of paper.

This sheet is then erased in the usual manner. The majority of the eraser particles abraded during the erasing process drop into the shelf or tray; although a few of the particles remain in contact with the surface of the first sheet. After the sheet has been erased, the eraser shield is shifted upwardly along the sheet so that the tray wipes the entire surface of the sheet free from any particles adhering to it. If desired, the tray can then be emptied by inverting it over a waste basket before the next copy sheet is erased. Each of the copy sheets is in turn erased in the same manner as the first sheet.

It is apparent that not only are all of the eraser particles which drop from the paper collected in the tray, but also all of the particles adhering to the sheet are removed by the wiping action of the tray as the eraser shield is moved upwardly along the paper. Thus, the operation of brushing the sheet is entirely eliminated, and since the particles are ultimately disposed of at a point remote from the typewriter, there is no possibility of their dropping into the typewriter mechanism.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An eraser shield for a typewriter, said shield C0111- prising an elongated arcuate shield plate, a handle disposed at one end of said shield plate, an elongate collector shelf pivotally secured to said shield plate adjacent the handle and adapted for movement into a position in which it engages said plate along a line spaced from the upper edge of said plate a distance sufficient to constitute an erasure shield area, said shelf being in contact with said shield plate throughout the length of said shelf contiguous with the plate.

2. A typewriter eraser shield comprising an elongated arcuate shield plate, an elongated collector tray, means pivotally securing said collector tray to one end of said shield plate, said collector tray being adapted for movement into a position in which it contacts said shield plate and into a position in which it is angulated with respect thereto said tray being adapted to engage said shield plate along a line spaced from the upper edge thereof a distance sufficient to constitute an erasure shield area, the line of contact between the tray and plate being continuous and extending throughout the length of the tray contiguous with the plate, and spring means urging said tray into contact with said plate.

3. A typewriter eraser shield comprising an elongated shield plate, an elongated collector tray, means pivotally securing said collector tray to one end of said shield plate, said collector tray being adapted for movement into a position in which it contacts said shield plate and into a position in which it is angulated with respect thereto said tray being adapted to engage said shield plate along a line spaced from the upper edge thereof a distance sufficient to constitute an erasure shield area, the line of contact between the tray and plate being continuous and extending throughout the length of the tray contiguous with the plate, spring means urging said tray into contact with said plate, and a handle disposed at the end of said shield plate at which said collector tray is pivotally collected to said shield plate.

4. A typewriter eraser shield comprising an elongated arcuate shield plate, a handle disposed at one end of said shield plate, an elongated collector tray, said collector tray including a lip disposed along one edge thereof, means pivotally securing said collector tray to said shieldplate adjacent the handle, said means comprising a mounting bracket secured to said collector tray and including a pair of spaced arms, each of said arms being configurated to form a central opening, a pair of spaced mounting flanges extending forwardly from said shield plate, each of said flanges also being configurated to form a central opening, and a pivot pin disposed within said openings, said collector tray being adapted for movement into a position in which said lip contacts said shield plate and into a position in which it is angulated with respect thereto said lip being adapted to contact said plate along a line spaced from the upper edge of said plate a sufiicient distance to constitute an erasure shield area, the line of engagement of said lip and said plate extending throughout the length of the lip contiguous with the plate, and spring means urging said tray into contact with said plate.

5. A typewriter eraser shield comprising an elongated arcuate shield plate, a handle disposed at one end of said shield plate, an elongated collector tray, said collector tray including a lip disposed along one edge thereof, means pivotally securing said collector tray to said shield plate adjacent the handle, said means comprising a mounting bracket secured to said collector tray and including a finger grip and a pair of spaced arms, each of said arms being configurated to form a central opening, a pair of spaced mounting flanges extending forwardly from said shield plate, each of said flanges also being configurated to form a central opening, and a pivot pin disposed within said openings, said collector tray being adapted for movement into a position in which said lip contacts said shield plate and into a position in which it is angulated with respect thereto said lip being adapted to contact said plate along a line spaced from the upper edge of said plate a sufiicient distance to constitute an erasure shield area, the line of engagement of said lip and said plate extending throughout the length of the lip contiguous with the plate, and spring means urging saidtray into contact with said plate, said spring means including a helical spring compressed between said finger grip and said handle 6. A typewriter eraser shield comprising an elongated arcuate shield plate, a handle disposed at one end of said shield plate, an elongated collector tray, said collector tray including an edge adapted for engagement with said shield plate, means pivotally securing said collector tray to said shield plate adjacent the handle, said means comprising a mounting bracket secured to said collector tray and including a pair of spaced arms, each of said arms being configurated to form a central opening, a pair of spaced mounting flanges extending forwardly from said shield plate, each of said flanges also being configurated to form a central opening, and a pivot pin disposed within said openings, said collector tray being adapted for movement into a position in which said edge contacts said shield plate along a line adjacent to the bottom edge of said plate, and into a position in which it is angulated with respect thereto, and spring means urging said tray into contact with said plate.

7. A typewriter eraser shield comprising an elongated shield plate, an elongated collector tray, means pivotally securing said collector tray to one end of said shield plate, said collector tray being adapted for movement into a position in which it contacts said shield plate along a line adjacent to the bottom edge of said plate, and into a position in which it is angulated with respect thereto, spnng means urging said tray into contact with said plate, and a handle disposed at the end of said shield plate at which said collector tray is pivotally connected to said shield plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 35,294 Forfar Nov. 19, 1901 2,260,089 Pierce Oct. 21, 1941 2,286,417 Holt June 16, 1942 2,522,111 Gibson Sept. 12, 1950 

